WO2003033354A1 - Apparatus and method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003033354A1
WO2003033354A1 PCT/US2002/033153 US0233153W WO03033354A1 WO 2003033354 A1 WO2003033354 A1 WO 2003033354A1 US 0233153 W US0233153 W US 0233153W WO 03033354 A1 WO03033354 A1 WO 03033354A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet
flower pot
pot
receiving opening
forming member
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/033153
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Donald E. Weder
Original Assignee
Southpac Trust International, Inc., Not Individually But As A Trustee Of The Family Trust U/T/A Dated December 8, 1995
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Southpac Trust International, Inc., Not Individually But As A Trustee Of The Family Trust U/T/A Dated December 8, 1995 filed Critical Southpac Trust International, Inc., Not Individually But As A Trustee Of The Family Trust U/T/A Dated December 8, 1995
Publication of WO2003033354A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003033354A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B61/00—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages
    • B65B61/02—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B65B61/025—Auxiliary devices, not otherwise provided for, for operating on sheets, blanks, webs, binding material, containers or packages for perforating, scoring, slitting, or applying code or date marks on material prior to packaging for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B25/00—Packaging other articles presenting special problems
    • B65B25/02—Packaging agricultural or horticultural products
    • B65B25/026—Packaging flower pots

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to a cover forming
  • the invention includes a cover forming apparatus for forming a
  • a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot
  • the invention also includes a method of forming a decorative item.
  • a pot receiving opening formed therethrough and at least one forming
  • one forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer
  • the invention includes a method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot, comprising: providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot receiving opening
  • the bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the portion
  • the invention also includes a decorative cover for a flower pot,
  • one forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer
  • the invention includes a decorative cover for a flower
  • pot produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a support
  • the bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the portion of material; disposing the unrolled portion of material over the pot receiving
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover forming apparatus
  • FIG. la is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a supporting platform of the cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1.
  • FIG 2a is a top plan view of an embodiment of the support
  • FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 3a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 2a showing another embodiment of a forming
  • FIG. 4 is a partial exploded, perspective view of the cover
  • FIG. 4a is a partial exploded, perspective view of the cover
  • FIG. 5 is a fragmental perspective view of a material holding
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the material holding chamber
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roll of material which can be
  • FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a roll of material which can be
  • FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the roll of material of FIG. 7 with
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sheet of material from the roll
  • FIG. 9a is a perspective view of a sheet of material from the roll
  • FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the sheet of material shown in
  • FIG. 10a is an elevational view of the sheet of material shown in
  • FIG. 9a is a diagrammatic representation of FIG. 9a.
  • FIG. 10b is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover forming apparatus
  • FIG. 11a is a cross-sectional view of the cover forming apparatus
  • FIG. la having a slidable cutting assembly, bonding material dispenser,
  • FIG. 12 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 12a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 13 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 1 cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating a sheet of material being
  • FIG. 13a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
  • FIG. 1 depicting a flower pot having a decorative cover formed thereabout removed from the pot receiving opening in the
  • FIG. 14a is another elevational view, partially in cross-section,
  • FIG. la depicting a flower pot having a
  • FIG. 1 shown therein and designated by
  • reference numeral 10 is a cover forming apparatus for dispensing a sheet of
  • the flower pot 14 in accordance with the present invention.
  • a floral grouping 16 is shown positioned above the cover forming apparatus
  • the cover forming apparatus 10 includes a support platform 18, a
  • housing 20 having a material holding chamber 22 and at least one forming member 24 connected to the support platform 18 so as to be disposed about
  • the at least one forming member 24 is a plurality of forming
  • a roll of material 26 is
  • the cover forming apparatus 10 further includes a cutting assembly 29
  • one forming member 24 is shown as being pivotable in a downward direction
  • forming member 24 is shown in FIG. 1 as being biased in an upward
  • the flower pot 14 has a substantially closed lower end 30, an
  • the flower pot 14 is adapted to receive portions of
  • the floral grouping 16 generally has a lower end portion 38
  • FIG. la shown therein and designated by
  • reference numeral 10a is another embodiment substantially similar to the
  • Cover forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1.
  • Cover forming apparatus 10a
  • the flower pot 14a is substantially identical to the flower pot 14a.
  • the flower pot 14a has a
  • the floral grouping 16a generally has a lower end portion 38a comprising
  • portion 38a of the floral grouping 16a is disposed in the flower pot 14a and
  • the flower pot 14a together with the contents of the flower pot 14a such as
  • FIG. 16a are shown in FIG. la positioned above the cover forming apparatus 10a.
  • the cover forming apparatus 10a includes a support
  • At least one forming member 24a connected to the support platform 18a and disposed about a pot receiving opening 25a in the support platform 18a.
  • the at least one forming member 24a is shown as being a substantially flexible gasket, such as a rubber gasket, that allows and
  • the bonding material dispenser 31a has
  • bonding material dispenser 31a also includes an applicator 59a sized
  • the applicator 59a essentially absorbs the bonding material 58a disposed in
  • the reservoir 57a and coats the sheet of material 12a with a layer of the
  • the applicator 59a is disposed such that the
  • the bonding material 58a is gravitationally fed from the reservoir 57a onto the applicator 59.
  • the applicator 59a can be a plurality of brushes or sponge ⁇
  • sheet of material 12a is pulled off the roll of material 26a and fed beneath
  • the applicator 59a may span only a portion of the length
  • sheet of material 12a is coated with the bonding material 58a as the sheet
  • dispenser 31a is shown and described as a reservoir which gravitationally
  • bonding material dispenser 31a could also be pressurized such that the
  • bonding material 58a is forced onto the applicator 59a by pressurizing the
  • bonding material dispenser 31a could include a plurality of nozzles sized
  • dispenser 31a may be any device that is capable of taking a bendable
  • the bonding material dispenser 31a could be a printing press, an
  • the apparatus 10a also includes the printing or label applicator
  • printing or label applicator 31b may be above the sheet of material 12a as
  • the printing or label applicator 31b is sized, shaped, configured and
  • attaching a label 31b could be a stamp, for instance, that stamps the sheet
  • receiving opening 25 can vary, however, for most applications the pot
  • receiving opening 25 will be substantially centrally located in the support
  • the pot receiving opening 25 is sized and shaped
  • platform 18 can be constructed out of any material suitable for supporting
  • the at least one forming member 24 can be formed and to which the at least one forming member 24 can be
  • the at least one forming member 24 is operably associated with
  • forming member 24 is connected to the support platform 18 so as to extend
  • the at least one forming member 24 is
  • the at least one pivoting member 54 is biased in an
  • the decorative cover 15 from being torn or otherwise damaged during
  • FIG. 3 shown therein in more detail is one of
  • the forming member 24 includes a
  • the stationary member 56 can be connected to or recessed
  • At least one forming member 24 is oriented in a direction such that the pivot
  • the spring 58 has a central portion defining a pivot pin opening
  • the pivot pin 52 is disposed in the
  • the at lest one pivoting member 54 can be pivoted downward and the spring
  • the roller 60 is rotatably connected to the at least one pivoting
  • the roller 60 contacts the sheet of material 12 and forces the
  • the support platform 18a is
  • support platform 18a is sized and shaped so as to receive and support the
  • sheets of material 12a has an upper surface 42a, a lower surface 44a and
  • FIG. 3a shown therein in more detail is one
  • the at least one forming member 24a is sized and
  • the at least one forming member 24a has an inner periphery 52a and
  • the forming member 24a is shown as connected to
  • member 24a can also be connected to the upper surface 42a of the support
  • At least one forming member 24a is oriented such that the inner periphery
  • support platform 18a with fasteners such as screws, nuts, bolts, washers or
  • the at least one forming member 24a is shown as having a circular outer periphery, the outer periphery 54a can be any configuration such as square or rectangular as long as the outer periphery 54a is larger than the pot receiving opening 25a in the support
  • forming member 24a could also be any configuration. The only requirements
  • one forming member 24a extends into the pot receiving opening 25a of the
  • support platform 18a provides the area 56a between the inner periphery
  • flower pot 14a is disposed into the pot receiving opening 25a without
  • forming member 24a should be substantially circular. If the flower pot 14a
  • forming member 24a should be square in configuration. It is important too
  • inside periphery 52a be slightly smaller than the outer peripheral surface 34a of the flower pot 14a to which the decorative cover 15a is to be
  • the housing 20 can be of any design and can be
  • the housing 20 could be in
  • the housing 20 has an upper support surface 70 upon which the
  • the cavity 72 is configured and dimensioned such that the
  • flower pot 14 can be at least partially inserted into the pot receiving opening
  • support platform 18 is preferably removably connected to the housing 20 to
  • the support platform 18 can be any suitable support platform 18 to be attached to the housing 20.
  • the support platform 18 can be any suitable support platform 18 to be attached to the housing 20.
  • attaching elements such as, nuts and bolts, screws, bonding materials, magnets, or hook and loop material or any combination or derivation thereof.
  • the cover forming apparatus 10 is shown as having the support platform 18
  • cover forming apparatus 10 could also be configured such
  • support platform 18 and the housing 20 are of unitary construction.
  • FIG. 4a shown therein is the support platform 18a
  • the support platform 18a and the housing 20a are identical to the support platform 18a and the housing 20a.
  • 20a can be of any design and can be constructed out of any material as long
  • the housing 20a is of sufficient structural integrity to support the support
  • the housing 20a has
  • the support platform 18a rests and a cavity 72a aligned with and positioned
  • cavity 72a is sized, shaped, configured, and dimensioned so as to
  • flower pot 14a can be at least partially inserted into the pot receiving
  • the support platform 18a is preferably removably connected
  • the support platform 18a can be removably connected to the housing 20a by a variety of attaching
  • hook and loop material or any combination or derivation thereof.
  • the cover forming apparatus 10a is shown as having the support platform
  • cover forming apparatus 10a could also be configured
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 in combination with FIGS. 1 and
  • material holding chamber 22 provides a convenient apparatus for storing the
  • chamber 22 has a bottom 76, a substantially open upper end 77, a front
  • chamber 22 also has a first end 84 and a second end 86 cooperating with the
  • each of the first and second ends 84 is identical to each of the first and second ends 84.
  • axle 28 is constructed of material of sufficient structural
  • the first and second ledges 88 and 90 are sized such that when
  • the first and second ledges 88 and 90 provide support for the axle
  • back stops 96 and 98 are substantially the same width as the first and
  • Each first and second back stop 96 and 98 extends into the
  • the sheet of material 12 is produced from which the sheets of material 12 are produced.
  • roll of material 26 includes a pressure sensitive adhesive 101 thereon and
  • detaching elements 100 for separating the roll of material
  • FIG. 7a shown therein is a roll of material 26a
  • the layer of release sheets 102 further includes a layer of release sheets 102.
  • the layer of release sheets is a layer of release sheets 102.
  • 102 has an upper surface 104, a lower surface 106, and an outer periphery
  • release sheet 102 is simultaneously also detached or severed from the roll
  • the layer of release sheets 102 is removed from the sheet
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrated therein in more detail
  • sheet of material 12 includes the upper surface 112 having the pressure
  • the sheet of material 12 is generally square or rectangular
  • the sheet of material 12 could be circularly shaped or any combination thereof
  • FIGS. 9a and 10a illustrated therein in more detail
  • the sheet of material 12a is substantially similar to the sheet of material 12
  • the sheet of material 12a has an upper surface 112a, a lower
  • the sheet of material 12a is
  • the sheet of material 12 may be constructed from cloth paper,
  • the sheet of material 12 may vary, depending upon the type of material.
  • the upper limit of the thickness is set such that the material retains sufficient
  • the sheet of material has a thickness in the range
  • the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 or 101b may be any material
  • the tack level of the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 and 101b should be controlled in most applications so that the sheet of
  • pressure sensitive adhesive includes
  • FIG. 10b shown therein is the sheet of
  • sheet of material 12b includes an upper surface 112a, lower surface 114b,
  • forming apparatus 10 includes the cutting assembly 29.
  • cutting assembly 29 includes a slidable cutting edge 119 which is placed in
  • slidable cutting edge 119 cuts the material and separates the sheet of
  • the slidable cutting edge 119 is lowered such that the slidable cutting edge 119 is in contact with the material.
  • cutting edge 119 is moved across the material unrolled from the roll of material 26. As the slidable cutting edge 119 is moved across the unrolled
  • the sheet of mate ⁇ al 12 is disposed on the support platform on
  • end 30 of the flower pot 14 is positioned above the sheet of material 12 and
  • end 30 of the flower pot 14 is lowered until it engages the sheet of material
  • FIG. 13 As the flower pot 14 and the sheet of material 12 are
  • one pivoting member 54 is biased in an upward direction it assists in
  • flower pot 14 is illustrated and described herein utilizing the sheet of
  • decorative cover 15 can be formed about the flower pot 15 via the same
  • cover forming apparatus 10a includes the cutting assembly 29a.
  • cutting assembly 29a includes a slidable cutting edge 119a which is placed
  • slidable cutting edge 119a cuts the material and separates the sheet of
  • the cutting assembly prefferably, the cutting assembly
  • 29a is raised so as to ease threading of material between an upper surface
  • FIGS. lla-14a In operation, an individual grasps the free end of the roll
  • bonding material 58a is disposed on the material until the individual has
  • the slidable cutting edge 119a is
  • the slidable cutting edge 119a is moved across the material
  • the sheet of material 12a is disposed on the support platform
  • flower pot 14a are being disposed or are disposed in the pot receiving
  • the present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for
  • the apparatus includes a
  • the forming member is designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the
  • the bonding material applicator is designed or
  • applicator is designed and disposed so as to apply printing and/or a label to
  • the invention may comprise, consist of,

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Agronomy & Crop Science (AREA)
  • Cultivation Receptacles Or Flower-Pots, Or Pots For Seedlings (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for covering a flower pot (14) with a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a supporting platform (18), a pot receiving opening (25) formed through the supporting platform, a forming member (24) concentric with the pot receiving opening, a bonding material applicator, and a printing and/or label applicator. The forming member (24) is designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the flower pot and the sheet of material (12) into the pot receiving opening (25) the forming member (24) presses the sheet of material against an outer peripheral surface (34) of the flower pot (14). The bonding material applicator is designed or disposed so as to apply a bonding material to the sheet of material for bonding the sheet of material to the flower pot. The printing and/or label applicator is designed and disposed so as to apply printing and/or a label to the sheet of material.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR FORMING A DECORATIVE
COVER ABOUT A FLOWER POT
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims Convention priority to and is a U.S.
continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 09/981,022 (filed 16
October 2001 and entitled "Cover Forming Apparatus with Downward
Pivoting Forming Members"), the entire contents of which are hereby
expressly incorporated herein in their entirety by this reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a cover forming
apparatus for forming a sheet of material about an object to produce a cover
for the object, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a cover
forming apparatus for forming a decorative cover for a flower pot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention includes a cover forming apparatus for forming a
decorative cover about a flower pot, the cover forming apparatus
comprising : a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot
receiving opening formed through the support platform; at least one forming
member arranged around the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming
member being such that the at least one forming member forms the sheet
of material about an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as upon disposing the sheet of material on the support platform over the pot
receiving opening and placing the flower pot on the sheet of material and
disposing the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving
opening; and a printing or label applicator disposed such that the printing or
label applicator prints on or applies a label to the sheet of material thereby
providing a decorative cover formed about a flower pot.
The invention also includes a method of forming a decorative
cover about a flower pot, comprising: providing a support platform having
a pot receiving opening formed therethrough and at least one forming
member concentric with the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming
member being a flexible material which presses a sheet of material against
the flower pot as the flower pot and the sheet of material are moved into the
pot receiving opening; placing the sheet of material on the support platform
such that the sheet of material is positioned over the pot receiving opening;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material and the pot receiving
opening; providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies printed
material or a label to the sheet of material; and moving the flower pot and
the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening such that the at least
one forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer
peripheral surface of the flower pot to form a decorative cover about the
flower pot.
In addition, the invention includes a method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot, comprising: providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot receiving opening
formed through the support platform; providing at least one forming
member concentric with the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming
member being a flexible material for pressing the sheet of material against
a flower pot; providing a roll of material; providing a bond mateπal
dispenser; unrolling a portion of material from the roll of material such that
the bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the portion
of material; disposing the unrolled portion of material over the pot receiving
opening; cutting the unrolled portion of material having the bonding material
thereon from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material; placing the
flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding material thereon
and the pot receiving opening; moving the flower pot and the sheet of
material having the bonding material thereon into the pot receiving opening
such that the at least one forming member presses the sheet of material
against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as to cause the
sheet of material to form a decorative cover about the flower pot; and
removing the flower pot having the decorative cover formed thereabout
from the pot receiving opening whereby the at least one forming member
cooperates in the removal of the flower pot having the decorative cover
formed thereabout from the pot receiving opening.
The invention also includes a decorative cover for a flower pot,
produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a support platform
having a pot receiving opening formed therethrough and at least one forming member concentric with the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming
member being a flexible material which presses a sheet of material against
the flower pot as the flower pot and the sheet of material are moved into the
pot receiving opening; placing the sheet of material on the support platform
such that the sheet of material is positioned over the pot receiving opening;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material and the pot receiving
opening; providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies printed
material or a label to the sheet of material; and moving the flower pot and
the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening such that the at least
one forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer
peripheral surface of the flower pot to produce a decorative cover for the
flower pot.
Moreover, the invention includes a decorative cover for a flower
pot, produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a support
platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot receiving opening
formed through the support platform; providing at least one forming
member concentric with the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming
member being a flexible material for pressing the sheet of material against
a flower pot; providing a roll of mateπal; providing a bond material
dispenser; unrolling a portion of material from the roll of material such that
the bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the portion of material; disposing the unrolled portion of material over the pot receiving
opening; cutting the unrolled portion of material having the bonding material thereon from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material; placing the
flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding material thereon
and the pot receiving opening; moving the flower pot and the sheet of
material having the bonding material thereon into the pot receiving opening
such that the at least one forming member presses the sheet of material
against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as to cause the
sheet of material to form a decorative cover about the flower pot; and
removing the flower pot having the decorative cover formed thereabout
from the pot receiving opening whereby the at least one forming member
cooperates in the removal of the flower pot having the decorative cover
formed thereabout from the pot receiving opening.
Furthermore, the invention includes all of the other embodiments
that are disclosed and/or claimed herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover forming apparatus
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. la is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
cover forming apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a supporting platform of the cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG 2a is a top plan view of an embodiment of the support
platform of the cover forming apparatus of FIG. la.
FIG. 3 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
supporting platform of FIG. 2 showing one forming member.
FIG. 3a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
supporting platform of FIG. 2a showing another embodiment of a forming
member.
FIG. 4 is a partial exploded, perspective view of the cover
forming apparatus of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4a is a partial exploded, perspective view of the cover
forming apparatus of FIG. la.
FIG. 5 is a fragmental perspective view of a material holding
chamber holding a roll of material of the cover forming apparatus of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the material holding chamber
of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a roll of material which can be
used in conjunction with the apparatus of FIG. 1 from which a sheet of
material may be obtained, one corner of one of the sheets of material being
upwardly turned and partially detached from an adjacent sheet of material.
FIG. 7a is a perspective view of a roll of material which can be
used in conjunction with the apparatus of FIG. la from which a sheet of material may be obtained, one corner of one of the sheet of material being
upwardly turned and partially detached from an adjacent sheet.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the roll of material of FIG. 7 with
release sheets disposed over a pressure sensitive adhesive on the roll of
material.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sheet of material from the roll
of material of FIG. 7 utilized to form a decorative cover about a flower pot
in accordance with the present invention, one corner of the sheet of material
upwardly turned.
FIG. 9a is a perspective view of a sheet of material from the roll
of material of FIG. 7a utilized to form a decorative cover about a flower pot
in accordance with the present invention one corner of the sheet of material
upwardly turned.
FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the sheet of material shown in
FIG. 9.
FIG. 10a is an elevational view of the sheet of material shown in
FIG. 9a.
FIG. 10b is a perspective view of a sheet of material having a
pattern of bonding material disposed thereon.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the cover forming apparatus
of FIG. 1 having a slidable cutting assembly. FIG. 11a is a cross-sectional view of the cover forming apparatus
of FIG. la having a slidable cutting assembly, bonding material dispenser,
and a label or printing applicator.
FIG. 12 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1 with a flower pot and a sheet of material
disposed above a pot receiving opening in the support platform of the cover
forming apparatus.
FIG. 12a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cover forming apparatus of FIG. la with a flower pot and a sheet of material
disposed above a pot receiving opening in the support platform of the cover
forming apparatus.
FIG. 13 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1 illustrating a sheet of material being
formed about a flower pot disposed within the pot receiving opening in the
support platform of the cover forming apparatus.
FIG. 13a is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cover forming apparatus of FIG. la illustrating a sheet of material being
formed about a flower pot disposed within the pot receiving apparatus of the
support platform of the cover forming apparatus.
FIG. 14 is an elevational view, partially in cross-section, of the
cover forming apparatus of FIG. 1 depicting a flower pot having a decorative cover formed thereabout removed from the pot receiving opening in the
support platform of the cover forming apparatus. FIG. 14a is another elevational view, partially in cross-section,
of the cover forming apparatus of FIG. la depicting a flower pot having a
decorative cover formed thereabout with printing and/or a label disposed
thereon removed from the pot receiving opening in the support platform of
the cover forming apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application
to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set
forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention
is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should not be
regarded as limiting.
Referring now to FIG. 1, shown therein and designated by
reference numeral 10 is a cover forming apparatus for dispensing a sheet of
material 12 (FIGS. 5, 7- 13) and wrapping the sheet of material 12 about a
flower pot 14 to form a decorative cover 15 about the flower pot 14 (FIG.
14) in accordance with the present invention. The flower pot 14 containing
a floral grouping 16 is shown positioned above the cover forming apparatus
10. The cover forming apparatus 10 includes a support platform 18, a
housing 20 having a material holding chamber 22 and at least one forming member 24 connected to the support platform 18 so as to be disposed about
a pot receiving opening 25 in the support platform 18. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 1, the at least one forming member 24 is a plurality of forming
members all indicated by reference numeral 24. A roll of material 26 is
rotatably supported within the material holding chamber 22, via an axle 28,
and the cover forming apparatus 10 further includes a cutting assembly 29
for separating sheets of material 12 from the roll of material 26. The at least
one forming member 24 is shown as being pivotable in a downward direction
in FIG. 1 such that the at least one forming member 24 cooperates to form
the sheet of material 12 into the decorative cover 15 about the flower pot 14
when the sheet of material 12 and the flower pot 14 are moved into the pot
receiving opening 25 in the support platform 18; and the at least one
forming member 24 is shown in FIG. 1 as being biased in an upward
direction such that the at least one forming member 24 assists in removing
the flower pot 14 with the decorative cover 15 formed thereabout from the
pot receiving opening 25 of the support platform 18.
The flower pot 14 has a substantially closed lower end 30, an
open upper end 32, an outer peripheral surface 34 and a floral grouping
retaining space 36 formed generally between the closed lower end 30 and
the open upper end 32. The flower pot 14 is adapted to receive portions of
the floral grouping 16 within the floral grouping retaining space 36 and to support the floral grouping 16 with a portion of the floral grouping 16
extending generally outwardly from the open upper end 32 of the flower pot 14. Examples of pots which can be used as the flower pot 14 in accordance
with the present invention include clay pots, wooden pots, plastic pots, metal
pots, ceramic pots and any container capable of receiving and holding floral
grouping 16.
The floral grouping 16 generally has a lower end portion 38
comprising mostly the stem portion of the floral grouping 16 and an upper
end portion 40 comprising the flower end of the floral grouping 16. The
lower end portion 38 of the floral grouping 16 is disposed in the flower pot
14 and the flower pot 14, together with the contents of the flower pot 14
such as soil, growing medium or other support elements, cooperate to
support the floral grouping 16 in an upright position with the upper end
portion 40 of the floral grouping 16 extending outwardly from the open
upper end 32 of the flower pot 14 and extending a distance generally above
the open upper end 32 of the flower pot 14. The term "floral grouping" as
used in this context means a potted plant or flower, although a flower pot
could be utilized to hold cut fresh flowers or cut plants or artificial flowers if
one so desired.
Referring now to FIG. la, shown therein and designated by
reference numeral 10a is another embodiment substantially similar to the
cover forming apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1. Cover forming apparatus 10a
dispenses a sheet of material 12a (FIG. 9a), applies a bonding material 13a
and a label and/or a printed material 13b (FIG. 14a) to the sheet of material
12a, and forms the sheet of material 12a having the label and/or printed material 13b thereon about a flower pot 14a to provide a decorative cover
15a (FIG. 14a) about the flower pot 14a. The flower pot 14a is substantially
similar to the flower pot 14 and contains a floral grouping 16a that is
substantially similar to the floral grouping 16. The flower pot 14a has a
substantially closed lower end 30a, an open upper end 32a, an outer
peripheral surface 34a, and a floral grouping retaining space 36a formed
generally between the closed lower end 30a and the open upper end 32a.
The floral grouping 16a generally has a lower end portion 38a comprising
mostly the stem portion of the floral grouping 16a and an upper end portion
40a comprising the flower end of the floral grouping 16a. The lower end
portion 38a of the floral grouping 16a is disposed in the flower pot 14a and
the flower pot 14a, together with the contents of the flower pot 14a such as
soil, growing medium or other support elements, cooperate to support the
floral grouping 16a in an upright position with the upper end portion 40a of
the floral grouping 16a extending outwardly from the open upper end 32a
of the flower pot 14a and extending a distance generally above the open
upper end 32a of the flower pot 14a. The flower pot 14a and floral grouping
16a are shown in FIG. la positioned above the cover forming apparatus 10a.
The cover forming apparatus 10a includes a support
platform 18a, a housing 20a having a mateπal holding chamber 22a, and at
least one forming member 24a connected to the support platform 18a and disposed about a pot receiving opening 25a in the support platform 18a. In
this embodiment, the at least one forming member 24a is shown as being a substantially flexible gasket, such as a rubber gasket, that allows and
presses the sheet of material 12a to be formed about the flower pot 14a. A
roll of material 26a substantially similar to the roll of material 26 is rotatably
supported within the material holding chamber 22a of the cover forming
apparatus 10a via an axle 28a. The cover forming apparatus 10a also
includes a cutting assembly 29a substantially similar to the cutting assembly
29 for separating the sheets of material 12a from the roll of material 26a, a
bonding material dispenser 31a, and a label or printing applicator 31b. In
this embodiment of the apparatus 10a, the bonding material dispenser 31a
is connected to the housing 20a. The bonding material dispenser 31a has
a reservoir 57a for containing a quantity of bonding material 58a. The
bonding material dispenser 31a also includes an applicator 59a sized,
shaped, configured and connected to the reservoir 57a in a manner such that
the applicator 59a essentially absorbs the bonding material 58a disposed in
the reservoir 57a and coats the sheet of material 12a with a layer of the
bonding material 58a as the sheet of material 12a is brought into contact
with the applicator 59a and as the sheet of material 12a is pulled off of the
roll of material 26a and disposed over the pot receiving opening 25a of the
support platform 18a.
In one embodiment, the applicator 59a is disposed such that the
bonding material 58a is gravitationally fed from the reservoir 57a onto the applicator 59. The applicator 59a can be a plurality of brushes or sponge¬
like material disposed across the length of the reservoir 57a which spans the width of the support platform 18a such that substantially the entire upper
surface of the sheet of material 12a receives the bonding material 58a as the
sheet of material 12a is pulled off the roll of material 26a and fed beneath
the applicator 59a. The applicator 59a may span only a portion of the length
of the reservoir 57a such that only a portion of the upper surface of the
sheet of material 12a is coated with the bonding material 58a as the sheet
of material 12a is pulled off the roll of material 26a and fed beneath the
applicator 59a. It should also be noted that although the bonding material
dispenser 31a is shown and described as a reservoir which gravitationally
feeds the bonding material 58a onto brushes or sponge-like material, the
bonding material dispenser 31a could also be pressurized such that the
bonding material 58a is forced onto the applicator 59a by pressurizing the
reservoir 57a with the assistance of a hand or electric pump (not shown).
In yet another embodiment of the bonding material dispenser 31a, the
bonding material dispenser 31a could include a plurality of nozzles sized,
configured, shaped, and connected to the pump for spraying the bonding
material 58a onto the sheet of material 12a. Indeed, the bonding material
dispenser 31a may be any device that is capable of taking a bendable
material from a shaped configuration and placing it on the sheet of material
12a. Thus, the bonding material dispenser 31a could be a printing press, an
inkjet type of printer or any combination of known or future developed technologies. The apparatus 10a also includes the printing or label applicator
31b that may be positioned within the housing 20a. Alternatively, the
printing or label applicator 31b may be above the sheet of material 12a as
it is pulled off of the roll of material 26a. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
la, the printing or label applicator 31b is sized, shaped, configured and
aligned with the pot receiving opening 25a such that upon disposing the
flower pot 14a and the sheet of material 12a at least partially through the
flower pot receiving opening 25, the sheet of material 12a is formed about
the flower pot 14a by the at least one forming member 24a and adheres to
the flower pot 14a via the bonding material 58a disposed on the sheet of
material 12a by the bonding material dispenser 31a and is thereafter
disposed into or in engaging contact with the printing or label applicator 31b
wherein the pot 14a with the sheet of material 12a formed about is labeled
or printed upon by the label or printing applicator 31b thereby providing the
decorative cover 15a for the flower pot 14a. The means for printing and/or
attaching a label 31b could be a stamp, for instance, that stamps the sheet
of material 12a where the sheet of material 12a bonds to either or both the
bottom 30a of the flower pot 14a or the outer peripheral surface 34a of the
flower pot 14a. Label applicators and printing applicators 31b are well
known in the art and no further description is deemed necessary as one of
ordinary skill in the art could use any type of manual or automatic labeling
devices (such as those shown in U.S. Patents 5,661,952, 5,609,009, 5,481,850, and 5,450,707 issued to the present inventor). Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 4, the support platform 18, which
is sized and shaped so as to receive and support the sheets of material 12,
has an upper surface 42, a lower surface 44 (FIG. 4), an outer perimeter
46, and the pot receiving opening 25 formed through the upper and lower
surfaces 42 and 44 of the support platform 18. The location of the pot
receiving opening 25 can vary, however, for most applications the pot
receiving opening 25 will be substantially centrally located in the support
platform 18, as shown. The pot receiving opening 25 is sized and shaped
such that at least a lower portion, but not all, of the flower pot 14 can be
disposed through the pot receiving opening 25. An elastomeric ring (not
shown) or the like may be provided around the perimeter of the pot
receiving opening 25 to protect the sheet of mateπal 12 from damage as the
sheet of material 12 is pushed through the pot receiving opening 25 during
formation of the decorative cover 15 about the flower pot 14. The support
platform 18 can be constructed out of any material suitable for supporting
the sheet of material 12, and through which the pot receiving opening 25
can be formed and to which the at least one forming member 24 can be
attached.
The at least one forming member 24 is operably associated with
the pot receiving opening 25 of the support platform 18. The at least one
forming member 24 is connected to the support platform 18 so as to extend
into the pot receiving opening 25. The at least one forming member 24 is
selectively pivotable in a downward direction such that the at least one forming member 24 cooperates to form the sheet of material 12 into the
decorative cover 15 about the flower pot 14 when the sheet of material 12
and the flower pot 14 are moved into the pot receiving opening 25 in the
support platform 18. The at least one pivoting member 54 is biased in an
upward direction, by a spring 58 (FIGS. 3, 12, 13 and 14) to assist in
removing the flower pot 14 having the decorative cover 15 formed
thereabout from the pot receiving opening 25 and to substantially prevent
the decorative cover 15 from being torn or otherwise damaged during
removal of the flower pot 14 and decorative cover 15 from the pot receiving
opening 25.
Referring now to FIG. 3, shown therein in more detail is one of
the at least one forming member 24. The forming member 24 includes a
pivot pin 52 about which the at least one pivoting member 54 pivots, a
stationary member 56 connected to the support platform 18, the spring 58
and a roller 60.
The stationary member 56 of the at least one forming member
24 is shown as connected to the lower surface 44 of the support platform
18. However, the stationary member 56 can be connected to or recessed
into the upper or lower surfaces 42 and 44 of the support platform 18. The
at least one forming member 24 is oriented in a direction such that the pivot
pin 52 and the at least one pivoting member 54 extend into the pot receiving opening 25 (FIGS. 1 and 2) in a general direction toward the center
of the pot receiving opening 25. The spring 58 has a central portion defining a pivot pin opening
63, a first leg 64 and a second leg 66. The pivot pin 52 is disposed in the
pivot pin opening 63 of the spring 58 such that the first leg 64 of the spring
58 is in contact with the stationary member 56 of the at least one forming
member 24 and the second leg 66 of the spring 58 is in contact with the at
least one pivoting member 54 of the at least one forming member 24. Thus,
the at lest one pivoting member 54 can be pivoted downward and the spring
58 biases the at least one pivoting member 54 in an upward position when
there is no downward force being applied to the at least one pivoting
member 54. The roller 60 is rotatably connected to the at least one pivoting
member 54. The roller 60 contacts the sheet of material 12 and forces the
sheet of material 12 against the outer peripheral surface 34 of the flower pot
14 as the flower pot 14 is moved into the pot receiving opening 25.
Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 4a, the support platform 18a is
substantially similar to the support platform 18 of FIGS. 2 and 4. The
support platform 18a is sized and shaped so as to receive and support the
sheets of material 12a, has an upper surface 42a, a lower surface 44a and
the pot receiving opening 25a formed through the upper and lower surfaces
42a and 44a of the support platform 18a.
Referring now to FIG. 3a, shown therein in more detail is one
alternative embodiment of the at least one forming member 24a. The at
least one forming member 24a is shown attached to the support platform
18a such that the at least one forming member 24a extends into the pot receiving opening 25a. The at least one forming member 24a is sized and
shaped such that the at least one forming member 24a presses the sheet of
material 12a against the flower pot 14a and forms the sheet of material 12a
about the flower pot 14a when the sheet of material 12a and the flower pot
14a are moved into the pot receiving opening 25a in the support platform
18a. The at least one forming member 24a has an inner periphery 52a and
an outer periphery 54a. The forming member 24a is shown as connected to
the lower surface 44a of the support platform 18a. However, the forming
member 24a can also be connected to the upper surface 42a of the support
platform 18a or a first forming member 24a may be connected to the upper
surface 42a of the support platform 18a and a second forming member 24a
can be connected to the lower surface 44a of the support platform 18a. The
at least one forming member 24a is oriented such that the inner periphery
52a of the at least one forming member 24a is concentric with and extends
into the pot receiving opening 25a. An area 56a between the inner
periphery 52a and outer periphery 54a of the at least one forming member
24a is connected to the support platform 18a. The area 56a between the
inner periphery 52a and the outer periphery 54a can be connected to the
support platform 18a with fasteners such as screws, nuts, bolts, washers or
a bonding material or combinations and derivations of fasteners and bonding
materials. It should be noted that although the at least one forming member 24a is shown as having a circular outer periphery, the outer periphery 54a can be any configuration such as square or rectangular as long as the outer periphery 54a is larger than the pot receiving opening 25a in the support
platform 18a and provides the area 56a to connect the at least one forming
member 24a to the support platform 18a. It should also be noted that
although the inner periphery 52a of the at least one forming member 24a is
shown and described as circular, the inner periphery 52a of the at least one
forming member 24a could also be any configuration. The only requirements
of the inner periphery 52a are that the inner periphery 52a of the at least
one forming member 24a extends into the pot receiving opening 25a of the
support platform 18a, provides the area 56a between the inner periphery
52a and outer periphery 54a for attachment of the at least one forming
member 24a to the support platform 18a, and presses the sheet of material
12a against the outer peripheral surface 34a of the flower pot 14a as the
flower pot 14a is disposed into the pot receiving opening 25a without
damaging or tearing the sheet of material 12a. Preferably, the configuration
of the inner periphery 52a of the at least one forming member 24a is sized,
shaped and configured so as to match the outer peripheral surface 34a of
the flower pot 14a to which the at least one forming member 24a will be
applying the decorative cover 15a. For instance, if the flower pot 14a is
frusto conical in configuration, the inner periphery 52a of the at least one
forming member 24a should be substantially circular. If the flower pot 14a
is cubical in configuration, the inner periphery 52a of the at least one
forming member 24a should be square in configuration. It is important too
that the inside periphery 52a be slightly smaller than the outer peripheral surface 34a of the flower pot 14a to which the decorative cover 15a is to be
applied so as to press the sheet of material 12a against substantially the
entire outer peripheral surface 34a of the flower pot 14a as the flower pot
14a is inserted into the pot receiving opening 25a of the apparatus 10.
Referring again to FIG. 4, shown therein in the support platform
18 and the housing 20. The housing 20 can be of any design and can be
constructed out of any material so long as the housing 20 is of sufficient
structural integrity to support the support platform 18, the at least one
forming member 24, the sheet of material 12 and, also accommodate the
pot receiving opening 25. By way of example, the housing 20 could be in
the configuration of a metal or wooden table having four legs, a tripod
having three legs or even a box. Regardless of the configuration of the
housing 20, the housing 20 has an upper support surface 70 upon which the
lower surface 44 of the support platform 18 rests and a cavity 72 aligned
with and positioned below the pot receiving opening 25 in the support
platform 18. The cavity 72 is configured and dimensioned such that the
flower pot 14 can be at least partially inserted into the pot receiving opening
25 in the support platform 18 and into the cavity 72 of the housing 20. The
support platform 18 is preferably removably connected to the housing 20 to
allow different sized support platforms 18 with different sized pot receiving
openings 25 to be attached to the housing 20. The support platform 18 can
be removably connected to the housing 20 by a variety of attaching elements such as, nuts and bolts, screws, bonding materials, magnets, or hook and loop material or any combination or derivation thereof. Although
the cover forming apparatus 10 is shown as having the support platform 18
removably connected to the housing 20, those skilled in the art would readily
recognize that the cover forming apparatus 10 could also be configured such
that the support platform 18 and the housing 20 are of unitary construction.
Referring to FIG. 4a, shown therein is the support platform 18a
and the housing 20a. The support platform 18a and the housing 20a are
substantially similar to the support platform 18 in housing 20. The housing
20a can be of any design and can be constructed out of any material as long
as the housing 20a is of sufficient structural integrity to support the support
platform 18a, the at least one forming member 24a, the sheet material 12a,
and also accommodate the pot receiving opening 25a. The housing 20a has
an upper support surface 70a upon which the lower support surface 44a of
the support platform 18a rests and a cavity 72a aligned with and positioned
below the pot receiving opening 25a and the support platform 18a. The
cavity 72a is sized, shaped, configured, and dimensioned so as to
accommodate the printing and/or labeling apparatus 31b such that the
flower pot 14a can be at least partially inserted into the pot receiving
opening 25a in the support platform 18a and into the cavity 72a of the
housing 20a. The support platform 18a is preferably removably connected
to the housing 20a to allow different size support platforms 18a with
different sized and shaped pot receiving openings 25a and different forming
members 24a can be attached to the housing 20a. The support platform 18a can be removably connected to the housing 20a by a variety of attaching
elements such as nuts and bolts, screws, bonding materials, magnets, or
hook and loop material, or any combination or derivation thereof. Although
the cover forming apparatus 10a is shown as having the support platform
18a removably connected to the housing 20a, those skilled in the art would
readily recognize the cover forming apparatus 10a could also be configured
such that the support platform 18a and the housing 20a are of unitary
construction.
Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, in combination with FIGS. 1 and
4, shown therein is the material holding chamber 22 of the housing 20. The
material holding chamber 22 provides a convenient apparatus for storing the
roll of material 26 and dispensing material therefrom. The material holding
chamber 22 has a bottom 76, a substantially open upper end 77, a front
side 78, a back side 80, and a roll retaining cavity 82. The material holding
chamber 22 also has a first end 84 and a second end 86 cooperating with the
front and back sides 78 and 80 and the bottom 76 and the substantially open
upper end 77 to substantially define the roll retaining cavity 82.
As best shown in FIG. 6, each of the first and second ends 84
and 86 of the material holding chamber 22 include a first and a second ledge
88 and 90, respectively, extending from the respective first and second end
84 and 86 into the roll retaining cavity 82. The first and second ledges 88
and 90 cooperate to rolling support a first end 92 and a second end 94 of the axle 28 which is disposed through a central passageway in the roll of material 26. The axle 28 is constructed of material of sufficient structural
integrity to support the weight of the roll of material 26. The first end and
second end 92 and 94 of the axle 28 extend past the roll of material 26 so
as to provide cylindrical surfaces upon which to rollingly support the roll of
material 26. The first and second ledges 88 and 90 are sized such that when
the roll of material 26 and the axle 28 are disposed into the roll retaining
cavity 82, the first and second ledges 88 and 90 provide support for the axle
28 and the roll of material 26 near the first and second ends 92 and 94 of
the axle 28, while preventing the first and second ledges 88 and 90 from
coming into contact with the roll of material 26. Connected to the first ledge
88 and the first end 84 of the material holding chamber 22 is a first back
stop 96, and connected to the second ledge 90 and the second end 86 of the
material holding chamber 22 is a second back stop 98. The first and second
back stops 96 and 98 are substantially the same width as the first and
second ledges 88 and 90 to which the first and second back stops 96 and 98
are connected. Each first and second back stop 96 and 98 extends into the
roll retaining cavity 82 and are attached to the first and second ledges 88
and 90 so as to prevent the axle 28 from rolling off the first and second
ledges 88 and 90 when roll of material 26 and the axle 28 are disposed
within the roll retaining cavity 82 of the material holding chamber 22. The
roll of material 26 and the axle 28 are disposed in the roll retaining cavity 82
of the material holding chamber 22 and are aligned with the support
platform 18 such that as the material is dispensed from the roll of material 26, the material is disposed onto the support platform 18 and over the pot
receiving opening 25 substantially as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
Referring now to FIG. 7, shown therein is the roll of material 26
from which the sheets of material 12 are produced. The sheet of material
12 is of a type suitable to be used in conjunction with the apparatus 10. The
roll of material 26 includes a pressure sensitive adhesive 101 thereon and
can also include detaching elements 100 for separating the roll of material
26 into a plurality of sheets of material 12. The pressure sensitive adhesive
101 can be disposed so as to substantially cover the upper surface 112 (FIG.
10) of the sheet of material 12 as shown in FIGS. 7, 9 and 10 or a pressure
sensitive adhesive 101a can be disposed on only preselected portions of a
sheet of material 12a as shown in FIG. 10a. The sheet of material 12 or 12a
provided from the roll of material 26 is then placed on the support platform
18 to be formed into the decorative cover 15 for the flower pot 14 as will be
described in more detail later.
Referring now to FIG. 7a, shown therein is a roll of material 26a
from which the sheets of material 12a (FIG. 9a) are produced. The roll of
material 26a and the sheet of material 12a are substantially similar to the
roll of material 26 and sheet of material 12 except the roll of material 26a
does not include the pressure sensitive adhesive 101. The roll of material
26a and the sheet of material 12a are of a type suitable to be used in conjunction with the apparatus 10a. Referring now to FIG. 8, shown therein is another roll of
material 26b similar to the roll of material 26 except the roll of material 26b
further includes a layer of release sheets 102. The layer of release sheets
102 has an upper surface 104, a lower surface 106, and an outer periphery
108. It will be appreciated that the layer of release sheets 102 substantially
covers the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 disposed on the material. The
layer of release sheets 102 is removably disposed over the pressure
sensitive adhesive 101 to prevent the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 from
bonding together overlaying material in the roll of material 26a and to
protect the adhesion qualities of the pressure sensitive adhesive 101. When
material is detached or severed from the roll of material 26a, the layer of
release sheet 102 is simultaneously also detached or severed from the roll
of material 26a. The layer of release sheets 102 is removed from the sheet
of material 12 either before or after positioning the sheet of material 12 on
the support platform 18 of the cover forming apparatus 10.
Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, illustrated therein in more
detail is the sheet of material 12 provided from the roll of material 26. The
sheet of material 12 includes the upper surface 112 having the pressure
sensitive adhesive 101 disposed thereon, a lower surface 114 and an outer
periphery 116. The sheet of material 12 is generally square or rectangular
shaped; however, the sheet of material 12 could be circularly shaped or any
other configuration desired in a particular application. Referring now to FIGS. 9a and 10a, illustrated therein in more
detail is the sheet of material 12a provided from the roll of material 26a.
The sheet of material 12a is substantially similar to the sheet of material 12
except the sheet of material 12a does not include the pressure sensitive
adhesive 101. The sheet of material 12a has an upper surface 112a, a lower
surface 114a, and an outer periphery 116a. The sheet of material 12a is
used in conjunction with the apparatus 10a to form the decorative cover 15a.
The sheet of material 12 may be constructed from cloth paper,
foil, polymeric films or laminates or combinations thereof. The thickness of
the sheet of material 12 may vary, depending upon the type of material.
The upper limit of the thickness is set such that the material retains sufficient
flexibility and fold ability and can easily be shaped by hand about the object
to be covered. Typically the sheet of material has a thickness in the range
from about .01 mil to about 30 mils. In FIG. 10, the pressure sensitive
adhesive 101 is applied to substantially the entire upper surface 112 of the
sheet of material 12. The thickness of the pressure sensitive adhesive 101
is exaggerated.
The pressure sensitive adhesive 101 or 101b may be any
substance, inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic, that is capable of
bonding to other surfaces or to other surfaces coated with a like pressure
sensitive adhesive. The tack level of the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 and 101b should be controlled in most applications so that the sheet of
material 12 and 12a do not destroy or substantially damage the object bonded thereto when removed from the object or does not destroy any
decorative pattern which is applied to the upper and lower surface 112 and
112b or 114 and 114b of the sheet of material 12 and 12b when unbonded.
It is also important to control the tackiness of the pressure sensitive
adhesive 101 and 101b so that the sheets of material 12 and 12a will be
easily released from a layer of release sheets, such as the layer of release
sheets 102 on the sheets of material 12 and 12a without destroying or
damaging the surface of the sheets of material 12 or 12a.
The term "pressure sensitive adhesive" as used herein includes
those adhesives mentioned before and it is utilized by the application of a
slight pressure such as might be imposed by the forming members 24, for
example, as opposed to those adhesives requiring chemical activators or
heat to be bondable. Pressure sensitive adhesives and the controlling of the
tack level of such pressure sensitive adhesives are well known in the art and
a detailed description of such pressure sensitive adhesives is not deemed
necessary herein.
Referring now to FIG. 10b shown therein is the sheet of
material 12b which is substantially similar to the sheet of material 12. The
sheet of material 12b includes an upper surface 112a, lower surface 114b,
an outer periphery 116b and an area of pressure sensitive adhesive 101b.
The only notable difference between the sheet of material 12 and the sheet
of material 12b is that the pressure sensitive adhesive 101b covers only
preselected portions of the upper surface 112b of the sheet of material 12. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 11, as previously stated, the cover
forming apparatus 10 includes the cutting assembly 29. The cutting
assembly 29 is positioned near the material holding chamber 22. The
cutting assembly 29 includes a slidable cutting edge 119 which is placed in
contact with the material such that as it slides across the material the
slidable cutting edge 119 cuts the material and separates the sheet of
material 12 from the roll of material 26. Preferably, the cutting assembly 29
is raised so as to ease threading of material between an upper surface 120
of the housing 20 and the cutting assembly 29, and the cutting assembly 29
can be lowered to allow for cutting contact with the material disposed on the
upper surface 120 of the housing 20.
Wrapping of the flower pot 14 is best explained with reference
to FIGS. 11-14. In operation, an individual grasps the free end of the roll of
material 26 and unrolls material from the roll of material 26 upwardly and
outwardly through the substantially open upper end 77 (FIGS. 5 and 11) of
the material holding chamber 22 until the individual has unrolled a
predetermined or desired amount of the mateπal from the roll of material
26. The predetermined or desired amount of material unrolled from the roll
of material 26 is generally disposed on the support platform 18 with the
cutting assembly 29 disposed above the material and the upper surface 120
of the housing 20. The slidable cutting edge 119 is lowered such that the slidable cutting edge 119 is in contact with the material. The slidable
cutting edge 119 is moved across the material unrolled from the roll of material 26. As the slidable cutting edge 119 is moved across the unrolled
portion of the roll of material 26 it engages the unrolled portion disposed
thereunder, thereby separating the unrolled portion of material from the roll
of material 26 and producing the sheet of material 12.
The sheet of mateπal 12 is disposed on the support platform on
the support platform 18 substantially as shown in FIG. 12. The closed lower
end 30 of the flower pot 14 is positioned above the sheet of material 12 and
aligned substantially with the pot receiving opening 25. The closed lower
end 30 of the flower pot 14 is lowered until it engages the sheet of material
12 and continued movement of the flower pot 14 and the sheet of material
12 in the downward direction causes the flower pot 14 and the sheet of
material 12 to be disposed into the pot receiving opening 25, until the flower
pot 14 and the sheet of material 12 come to rest in a position similar to that
illustrated by FIG. 13. As the flower pot 14 and the sheet of material 12 are
lowered into the pot receiving opening 25, the lower surface 114 of the sheet
of material 12 comes in contact with the roller 60 on the at least one
pivoting member 54 of the at least one forming member 24. The downward
movement of the flower pot 14 through the pot receiving opening 25 causes
the at least one pivoting member 54 to pivot in a downward direction and
the force exerted by the spring 58 of the at least one forming member 24
causes the roller 60 to press the upper surface 112 of the sheet of material
12 having the pressure sensitive adhesive 101 thereon into contact with the
outer peripheral surface 34 of the flower pot 14 and thereby form and adhere the decorative cover 15 about the flower pot 14. Since the at least
one pivoting member 54 is biased in an upward direction it assists in
removing the flower pot 14 and the decorative cover 15 formed thereabout
from the pot receiving opening 25 and substantially prevents the decorative cover 15 from being torn or otherwise damaged during removal of the flower
pot 14 and decorative cover 15 from the pot receiving opening 25. Although
the wrapping of the flower pot 14 to form the decorative cover 15 about the
flower pot 14 is illustrated and described herein utilizing the sheet of
material 12, those skilled in the art will understand and recognize that the
decorative cover 15 can be formed about the flower pot 15 via the same
method utilizing the sheet of material 12a having the pressure sensitive
adhesive 101a on preselected portions of the sheet of material 12a.
Referring now to FIGS, la and 11a, as previously stated, the
cover forming apparatus 10a includes the cutting assembly 29a. The cutting
assembly 29a is positioned near the material holding chamber 22a. The
cutting assembly 29a includes a slidable cutting edge 119a which is placed
in contact with the material such that as it slides across the material the
slidable cutting edge 119a cuts the material and separates the sheet of
material 12a from the roll of material 26a. Preferably, the cutting assembly
29a is raised so as to ease threading of material between an upper surface
120a of the housing 20a and the cutting assembly 29a, and the cutting assembly 29a can be lowered to allow for cutting contact with the material
disposed on the upper surface 120 of the housing 20. Wrapping of the flower pot 14a is best explained with reference
to FIGS. lla-14a. In operation, an individual grasps the free end of the roll
of material 26a and unrolls material from the roll of material 26a upwardly
and outwardly through the substantially open upper end 77a (FIGS. 5 and
11) of the material holding chamber 22a. The material is moved in relation
to the applicator 59 of the bonding material dispenser 31a such that a layer
of bonding material 58a is disposed on the material until the individual has
unrolled a predetermined or desired amount of the material from the roll of
material 26a. The predetermined or desired amount of material unrolled
from the roll of material 26a is generally disposed on the support platform
18a with the cutting assembly 29a disposed above the material and the
upper surface 120a of the housing 20a. The slidable cutting edge 119a is
lowered such that the slidable cutting edge 119a is in contact with the
material. The slidable cutting edge 119a is moved across the material
unrolled from the roll of material 26a. As the slidable cutting edge 119a is
moved across the unrolled portion of the roll of material 26a it engages the
unrolled portion disposed thereunder, thereby separating the unrolled
portion of material from the roll of material 26a and producing the sheet of
material 12a.
The sheet of material 12a is disposed on the support platform
18a substantially as shown in FIG. 12a. The closed lower end 30a of the flower pot 14a is positioned above the sheet of material 12a and aligned
substantially with the pot receiving opening 25a. The closed lower end 30a of the flower pot 14a is lowered until it engages the sheet of material 12a
and continued movement of the flower pot 14a and the sheet of mateπal 12a
in the downward direction causes the flower pot 14a and the sheet of
material 12a to be disposed into the pot receiving opening 25a, until the
flower pot 14a and the sheet of material 12a come to rest in a position
similar to that illustrated by FIG. 13a. As the flower pot 14a and the sheet
of material 12a are lowered into the pot receiving opening 25a, the lower
surface 114a of the sheet of material 12a comes in contact with inner
periphery 52a of the at least one forming member 24a. The downward
movement of the flower pot 14a through the pot receiving opening 25a
causes the inner periphery 52a of the at least one forming member 24a to
press the upper surface 112a of the sheet of material 12a having the layer
of bonding material 101a thereon into contact with the outer peripheral
surface 34a of the flower pot 14a. As the sheet of material 12a and the
flower pot 14a are being disposed or are disposed in the pot receiving
opening 25a the printing and/or label applicator 31b applies the printing or
the label 13b to the sheet of material 12a and thereby forms and provides the decorative cover 15a about the flower pot 14a.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for
covering a flower pot with a sheet of material. The apparatus includes a
supporting platform, a pot receiving opening formed through the supporting
platform, a forming member concentric with the pot receiving opening, a bonding material applicator, and a printing and/or label applicator. The forming member is designed and disposed such that upon insertion of the
flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving opening the
forming member presses the sheet of material against an outer peripheral
surface of the flower pot. The bonding material applicator is designed or
disposed so as to apply a bonding material to the sheet of material for
bonding the sheet of material to the flower pot. The printing and/or label
applicator is designed and disposed so as to apply printing and/or a label to
the sheet of material.
Changes may be made in the various parts, elements and
assemblies as described herein or in the steps of the methods described
herein or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the
following claims.
All of the numerical and quantitative measurements set forth in
this application (including in the examples and in the claims) are
approximations.
The invention illustratively disclosed or claimed herein suitably
may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically
disclosed or claimed herein. Thus, the invention may comprise, consist of,
or consist essentially of the elements disclosed or claimed herein.
The following claims are entitled to the broadest possible scope consistent with this application. The claims shall not necessarily be limited to the preferred embodiments or to the embodiments shown in the
examples.

Claims

What is claimed:
1. A cover forming apparatus for forming a decorative cover about
a flower pot, the cover forming apparatus comprising:
a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot
receiving opening formed through the support platform;
at least one forming member arranged around the pot receiving
opening, the at least one forming member being such that the
at least one forming member forms the sheet of material about
an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as upon
disposing the sheet of material on the support platform over the
pot receiving opening and placing the flower pot on the sheet of
material and disposing the flower pot and the sheet of material
into the pot receiving opening; and
a printing or label applicator disposed such that the printing or label
applicator prints on or applies a label to the sheet of material
thereby providing a decorative cover formed about a flower pot.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a housing for
supporting the support platform.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a bonding material
dispenser disposed such that the bonding material dispenser coats the sheet of material with bonding material prior to forming the sheet of material about
the flower pot.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 whenever the housing further includes
a material holding chamber for storing a roll of material.
5. The apparatus of claim 3 further including a roll of material
disposed within the material holding chamber of the housing.
6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the roll of material has an axle
disposed through a passageway in the roll of material and the roll of material
is rolling supported by the axial and the housing.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the forming member is a
flexible grommet that presses the sheet of material against the outer
peripheral surface of the flower pot.
8. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a cutting assembly
for separating material from the roll of material to produce the sheet of
material.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the cutting assembly comprises
a slidable cutting edge that slides across the sheet of material dispensed off the roll of material thereby cutting the material, thereby providing a sheet
of material from the roll of material.
10. A method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot,
comprising: providing a support platform having a pot receiving opening formed
therethrough and at least one forming member concentric with
the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming member
being a flexible material which presses a sheet of material
against the flower pot as the flower pot and the sheet of
material are moved into the pot receiving opening;
placing the sheet of material on the support platform such that the
sheet of material is positioned over the pot receiving opening;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material and the pot receiving
opening;
providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies printed
material or a label to the sheet of material; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving
opening such that the at least one forming member presses the
sheet of material against an outer peripheral surface of the
flower pot to form a decorative cover about the flower pot.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the sheet of material includes
a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a surface of the sheet material,
and wherein the at least one forming member presses the sheet of material
against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to cause the pressure
sensitive adhesive on the sheet material to adhere to the outer peripheral
surface of the flower pot and thereby forms a decorative cover about the
flower pot.
12. A method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot,
comprising:
providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a
pot receiving opening formed through the support platform;
providing at least one forming member concentric with the pot
receiving opening, the at least one forming member being a
flexible material for pressing the sheet of material against a
flower pot;
providing a roll of material;
providing a bond material dispenser;
unrolling a portion of material from the roll of material such that the
bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the
portion of material;
disposing the unrolled portion of material over the pot receiving opening; cutting the unrolled portion of material having the bonding material
thereon from the roll of material to provide the sheet of
material; placing the flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon and the pot receiving opening;
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon into the pot receiving opening such that the at
least one forming member presses the sheet of material against
the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as to cause the
sheet of material to form a decorative cover about the flower
pot; and
removing the flower pot having the decorative cover formed
thereabout from the pot receiving opening whereby the at least
one forming member cooperates in the removal of the flower pot
having the decorative cover formed thereabout from the pot
receiving opening.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein the bonding material is pressure
sensitive adhesive on the material.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a printing
and/or label applicator which applies a printed material and/or label to the sheet of material.
15. A decorative cover for a flower pot, produced by a process
comprising the steps of: providing a support platform having a pot receiving opening formed
therethrough and at least one forming member concentric with
the pot receiving opening, the at least one forming member
being a flexible material which presses a sheet of material
against the flower pot as the flower pot and the sheet of
material are moved into the pot receiving opening;
placing the sheet of material on the support platform such that the
sheet of material is positioned over the pot receiving opening;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material and the pot receiving
opening;
providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies printed
material or a label to the sheet of material; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material into the pot receiving
opening such that the at least one forming member presses the
sheet of material against an outer peripheral surface of the
flower pot to produce a decorative cover for the flower pot.
16. The decorative cover as claimed in claim 15 wherein the sheet
of material includes a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on a surface of
the sheet material, and wherein the at least one forming member presses
the sheet of material against the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot to cause the pressure sensitive adhesive on the sheet material to adhere to
the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot and thereby forms a decorative
cover for the flower pot.
17. A decorative cover for a flower pot, produced by a process
comprising the steps of:
providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a
pot receiving opening formed through the support platform;
providing at least one forming member concentric with the pot
receiving opening, the at least one forming member being a
flexible material for pressing the sheet of material against a
flower pot;
providing a roll of material;
providing a bond material dispenser;
unrolling a portion of material from the roll of material such that the
bonding material dispenser dispenses a bonding material on the
portion of material;
disposing the unrolled portion of material over the pot receiving
opening;
cutting the unrolled portion of material having the bonding material
thereon from the roll of material to provide the sheet of material; placing the flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon and the pot receiving opening;
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon into the pot receiving opening such that the at
least one forming member presses the sheet of material against
the outer peripheral surface of the flower pot so as to cause the
sheet of material to form a decorative cover about the flower
pot; and
removing the flower pot having the decorative cover formed
thereabout from the pot receiving opening whereby the at least
one forming member cooperates in the removal of the flower pot
having the decorative cover formed thereabout from the pot
receiving opening.
18. The decorative cover as claimed in claim 17 wherein the bonding
material is pressure sensitive adhesive on the material.
19. The decorative cover as claimed in claim 17, wherein the process
further comprises providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies
a printed material and/or label to the sheet of material.
20. A cover forming apparatus for forming a decorative cover about
a flower pot, the cover forming apparatus comprising: a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot
receiving opening formed through the support platform;
at least one forming member arranged around the pot receiving
opening, the at least one forming member being such that the
at least one forming member forms the sheet of material about
an outer peripheral surface of the flower pot; and
optionally a printing or label applicator.
21. A method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot,
comprising:
providing a support platform having at least one forming member;
placing the sheet of material on the support platform;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material;
optionally providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies
printed material or a label to the sheet of material; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material such that the at least
one forming member presses the sheet of material against the
flower pot to form a decorative cover about the flower pot.
22. A method of forming a decorative cover about a flower pot,
comprising:
providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a pot receiving opening formed through the support platform; providing at least one forming member;
cutting a portion of material having bonding material thereon from a
roll of material to provide the sheet of material;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon and the pot receiving opening; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon into the pot receiving opening such that the at
least one forming member presses the sheet of material against
the flower pot so as to cause the sheet of material to form a
decorative cover about the flower pot.
23. A decorative cover for a flower pot, produced by a process
comprising the steps of:
providing a support platform;
placing the sheet of material on the support platform;
optionally providing a printing and/or label applicator which applies
printed material or a label to the sheet of material; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material such that the at least
one forming member presses the sheet of material against the
flower pot to produce a decorative cover for the flower pot.
24. A decorative cover for a flower pot, produced by a process comprising the steps of: providing a support platform for supporting a sheet of material over a
pot receiving opening formed through the support platform;
providing at least one forming member;
cutting a portion of material having bonding material thereon from a
roll of material to provide the sheet of material;
placing the flower pot over the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon and the pot receiving opening; and
moving the flower pot and the sheet of material having the bonding
material thereon into the pot receiving opening such that the at
least one forming member presses the sheet of material against
the flower pot so as to cause the sheet of material to form a
decorative cover about the flower pot.
PCT/US2002/033153 2001-10-16 2002-10-16 Apparatus and method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot WO2003033354A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/981,022 US6647695B2 (en) 2001-10-16 2001-10-16 Cover forming method with downward pivoting forming members
US09/981,022 2001-10-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003033354A1 true WO2003033354A1 (en) 2003-04-24

Family

ID=25528038

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2002/033153 WO2003033354A1 (en) 2001-10-16 2002-10-16 Apparatus and method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (4) US6647695B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2003033354A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20090125A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-09-04 C M A Di Piazzese Domenico S R L EQUIPMENT FOR PACKAGING AN ARTICLE, IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORM OF AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT.

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6533886B2 (en) * 1993-01-13 2003-03-18 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method of covering a flower pot
US6973763B2 (en) * 2003-07-25 2005-12-13 Wanda M. Weder And William F. Straeter, Trustees Of The Family Trust Apparatus for forming and securing a decorative pleated cover about a flower pot
NL1026297C2 (en) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-09 Terra Internat B V Device and method for applying a cover around a pot plant.
US7694806B2 (en) * 2006-12-31 2010-04-13 Winston Huggins Artist's paint box system

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0582853A1 (en) * 1992-08-10 1994-02-16 Highland Supply Corporation Cover forming apparatus having pivoting forming members
US5450707A (en) 1993-07-08 1995-09-19 Highland Supply Corporation Conveyable cover former and fastening system
US5481850A (en) 1989-02-24 1996-01-09 Highland Supply Corporation Rotary covering and fastening system
US5609009A (en) 1989-02-24 1997-03-11 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Single station covering and fastening system
US5752360A (en) * 1988-09-26 1998-05-19 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method for wrapping a flower pot with a sheet material constructed of paper and having a pattern embossed thereon
US5820712A (en) * 1984-05-22 1998-10-13 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method of wrapping a pot with a cover having an adhesive thereon
US5985380A (en) * 1984-05-22 1999-11-16 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Decorative grass made from optical effect material
US6151865A (en) * 1988-09-26 2000-11-28 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method for wrapping a flower pot

Family Cites Families (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2218293A (en) * 1939-02-23 1940-10-15 Edward A Muller Apparatus for wrapping articles
US2265636A (en) * 1939-11-16 1941-12-09 Pneumatic Scale Corp Bag forming apparatus
US2656659A (en) * 1950-12-26 1953-10-27 Paper Art Company Inc Bulk paper plate wrapping machine
US2971312A (en) * 1959-02-16 1961-02-14 Jr William Roland Bell Foil folder
US3245198A (en) * 1961-12-28 1966-04-12 M C T Entpr Inc Method for packaging articles with transparent film
US3851440A (en) * 1972-11-13 1974-12-03 Fmc Corp Packaging method
US4525983A (en) * 1982-10-12 1985-07-02 Mitchell Libow Wrapping and sealing apparatus
US5105599A (en) 1989-02-24 1992-04-21 Highland Supply Corporation Means for securing a decorative cover about a flower pot
US5615534A (en) 1984-05-22 1997-04-01 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Methods for wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot or basket to form a covering of the flower pot or basket
US4733521A (en) 1986-05-20 1988-03-29 Highland Supply Corporation Cover forming apparatus
US5617702A (en) * 1989-02-24 1997-04-08 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method for securing a decorative cover about a flower pot
US5473858A (en) * 1994-07-18 1995-12-12 Hayes; Rosemary C. Apparatus and method for enclosing bulk product within a flexible sheet
US5611192A (en) 1995-06-07 1997-03-18 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Apparatus for dispensing and wrapping a sheet of material about a flower pot or floral grouping

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5820712A (en) * 1984-05-22 1998-10-13 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method of wrapping a pot with a cover having an adhesive thereon
US5985380A (en) * 1984-05-22 1999-11-16 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Decorative grass made from optical effect material
US5752360A (en) * 1988-09-26 1998-05-19 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method for wrapping a flower pot with a sheet material constructed of paper and having a pattern embossed thereon
US6151865A (en) * 1988-09-26 2000-11-28 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Method for wrapping a flower pot
US5481850A (en) 1989-02-24 1996-01-09 Highland Supply Corporation Rotary covering and fastening system
US5609009A (en) 1989-02-24 1997-03-11 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Single station covering and fastening system
EP0582853A1 (en) * 1992-08-10 1994-02-16 Highland Supply Corporation Cover forming apparatus having pivoting forming members
US5450707A (en) 1993-07-08 1995-09-19 Highland Supply Corporation Conveyable cover former and fastening system
US5661952A (en) 1993-07-08 1997-09-02 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Conveyable cover former and fastening system
US5839256A (en) * 1993-07-08 1998-11-24 Southpac Trust International, Inc. Conveyable cover former and fastening system

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITBO20090125A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2010-09-04 C M A Di Piazzese Domenico S R L EQUIPMENT FOR PACKAGING AN ARTICLE, IN PARTICULAR IN THE FORM OF AN ORNAMENTAL PLANT.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US6647695B2 (en) 2003-11-18
US20040079050A1 (en) 2004-04-29
US20030163975A1 (en) 2003-09-04
US20030110734A1 (en) 2003-06-19
US20030196408A1 (en) 2003-10-23

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5927045A (en) Cover forming apparatus having pivoting forming members
US6481181B1 (en) Conveyable cover former and fastening system
US6991697B2 (en) Method of covering a flower pot or floral grouping
US20030019155A1 (en) Thermoplastic flower pot with a thin skirt
US20080264552A1 (en) Decorative cover for a flower pot or floral grouping having a matte finish on a surface thereof
EP0435949B1 (en) Method for wrapping a floral grouping
WO2003033354A1 (en) Apparatus and method for forming a decorative cover about a flower pot
US6986235B2 (en) Method for applying a band about a sheet of material and a flower pot
US20120234478A1 (en) Decorative cover formed of a paper and/or polymeric material and having a texture or appearance simulating the texture or appearance of cloth
US5820712A (en) Method of wrapping a pot with a cover having an adhesive thereon

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TZ UA UG US UZ VC VN YU ZA ZM

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ RU TJ TM AT BE BG CH CY CZ DK EE ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC PT SE SK TR BF BJ CF CG CI GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP